00:02Celebrations in Sevenoaks as a 235 hectare solar project was rejected at planning committee with 13 councillors going against the
00:12officer recommendation of approval.
00:16It's a decision that nearly passed back in January and was deferred to this week to give officers time to
00:22seek legal advice.
00:23For the local councillors who have lobbied against these new ash green proposals, it's a major win.
00:30Members were really competent and addressed all the really important factors and protected our village.
00:37The proposals put forward by Evolution Power would have seen 70,000 solar panels built on these fields.
00:44For Ian and Claire Furness, whose house overlooks the area, the future of their rural slice of life had been
00:52a major worry.
00:54Around this area, we've lost so much countryside to solar already. Where do we draw the line?
01:00We need somewhere to, you know, for recreation, walking, cycling, farming, horses, everything. It loses so much.
01:10The solar farm would have generated enough energy for more than 17,000 homes.
01:16And Evolution Power is now likely to appeal to get the decision overturned.
01:21Something that could cost taxpayers thousands.
01:25A refusal this evening would therefore have no impact on the project timeline,
01:28but it's highly likely to cost selling-ups around £400,000 in appeal costs.
01:33It will not stop the project.
01:35Planning is quasi-judicial. That means councillors need valid legal reasons to reject applications.
01:43With not a single statutory consultee like the Environment Agency objecting to the plans,
01:51have councillors put public money at risk?
01:54You can't put a price tag on democracy.
01:56You know, local residents in the thousands of this district have objected to this application.
02:00I do think we have very strong grounds for refusal and I am confident that we will have a good
02:05case to fight it at appeal.
02:07Evolution Power say they're now considering their options.
02:10But if the decision ends up with planning inspectors, this solar farm saga could have a very different ending.
02:18Only leader in Sevenoaks.
02:20Only leader in Sevenoaks.
02:20Let's get started.
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